Two Convicted at trial of carjacking Sears Delivery Truck

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 22, 2012

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Antonio D. McGhee of Essex, Md. and Gabriel D. Mitchell, of Norfolk, Va. were convicted today by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, robbery, carjacking, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence.

Neil H. MacBride, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, James D. Newman, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after the verdict was accepted by United States District Judge Mark S. Davis. McGhee and Mitchell face a maximum sentence of 20 years on the conspiracy and substantive robbery convictions, fifteen years on the carjacking conviction and seven years to life on the firearm conviction when they are sentenced on October 30, 2012.

On January 10, 2012, McGhee and Mitchell carjacked a Sears delivery truck while it was delivering appliances in Hampton, Virginia. They were given information as to the property on the truck and the delivery schedule by an employee of a Sears sub-contractor, Travis Williams, who posed as one of the two victims. The actual victim was handcuffed, duct taped, and blind folded while the Williams was barely restrained. McGhee and Mitchell used a U-Haul truck to off load the appliances. The Sears appliances were recovered.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and assisted by Hampton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Howard J. Zlotnick and Brian J. Samuels are prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.